Why Hire Newcomers to Canada — Employer Guide

Federal and provincial governments offer programs that make it financially advantageous to hire newcomers. These incentives can significantly reduce your hiring and training costs.

• Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG): Covers up to two-thirds of training costs (up to $10,000 per employee) for new hires, including newcomers.
• Wage Subsidies: Programs through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) can cover a portion of wages for eligible newcomer hires for a defined period.
• Career Focus Program: Provides wage subsidies for internationally trained professionals in their field, reducing the risk for employers trying new hires.
• Provincial programs: BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and other provinces have their own employer incentive programs. Check your provincial government website for details.
• Tax credits: Some jurisdictions offer tax credits for diversity and inclusion initiatives, apprenticeship programs, and on-the-job training.

Posting a job on Hire Newcomers Canada is simple and takes just a few minutes. Your listing reaches thousands of qualified newcomers actively searching for work.

Creating an inclusive hiring process helps you attract the best newcomer talent and builds a diverse, productive team.

• Use inclusive language:Avoid jargon, idioms, and unnecessarily strict requirements. Write "2+ years of relevant experience" instead of "2+ years of Canadian experience."
• Value international experience: Recognize that skills gained abroad are transferable. A project manager in India has the same core competencies as one in Canada.
• Standardize your interview process: Use structured interviews with consistent questions for all candidates to reduce unconscious bias.
• Provide onboarding support: Assign a buddy or mentor to help newcomer employees navigate workplace culture, systems, and team dynamics.
• Offer language support: Be patient with accent differences and provide written materials alongside verbal instructions when possible.
• Celebrate diversity: Acknowledge cultural holidays, encourage sharing of different perspectives, and create an environment where everyone feels they belong.
• Remove "Canadian experience" requirements: The Ontario Human Rights Commission has stated that requiring Canadian experience is discriminatory in most cases. Focus on skills and competencies instead.

The way you write your job posting directly affects the quality and diversity of applicants you receive. Here are practical tips:

• Include a salary range — newcomers may not know local market rates
• State "open to newcomers" or "newcomer-friendly" explicitly
• List only essential requirements — avoid inflated qualifications
• Describe your company culture and commitment to diversity
• Mention benefits like language support, flexible hours, or training opportunities
• Use plain, simple language — avoid acronyms and cultural idioms